Birch Hill Clock Tower part of local heritage

Councillor Robert Clegg and Councillor Ashley Dearnley in front of the landmark clock tower at the former Birch Hill hospital

The landmark clock tower at the former Birch Hill hospital was retained as part of 44 contemporary apartments by developers Persimmon Homes.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/107630/mayor-launches-new-birch-hill-apartments

Approximately fifteen years ago, local Conservative party leader Councillor Ashley Dearnley wrote to Robert Clegg, then the Chief Executive of the Health Authority, requesting the clock tower should be saved and incorporated as part of any future development.

The Council subsequently designated Birch Hill as a conservation area in 2008 to ensure the Chapel and the Clock Tower were preserved.

Councillor Dearnley said: “We are determined to safeguard our green belt, and this can be achieved by using brownfield sites like this super development on the site of the old hospital.

“I’m glad it’s been restored, and what a contrast to the clock tower in Milnrow.”

Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Corporate and Regulation, said: “The council designated Birch Hill as a conservation area in 2008 to ensure the redevelopment of the site preserved these important local landmarks and the conversion of the Chapel and Clock Tower were fundamental to the success of the project.

"The council’s planning and development team worked closely with Persimmon Homes to secure the sympathetic restoration of these iconic buildings and the council is delighted with the results.”

The clock face was restored in 2016 by Time Assured, who fit new electric movements, LED lights and an Automatic Restart Unit to adjust for daylight savings time (DST).

Birch Hill was originally designed by George Woodhouse and Edward Potts as the Dearnley Union workhouse. It was intended to accommodate 632 inmates. However, by its eventual opening in November 1877, various extensions had increased the capacity to 847, to include accommodation for 29 officers which increased the total cost of the buildings and land to £85,000.

The building was officially opened by the then Mayor of Rochdale, Alderman T Schofield on Wednesday 19 December 1877.

In 1930, control of the site was passed on to Rochdale County Borough with the hospital being run by the Health Committee.

The inauguration of the National Health Service in 1948 meant the site became a single hospital known as Birch Hill.

It was run by Rochdale Healthcare NHS until its closure in 2013.